We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Fengtian City.

After the court meeting ended, Li Che led them into the inner courtyard.

Three small figures came over excitedly like young swallows returning to their nests.

"Daddy!"

"Daddy is back!"

"Daddy hug!"

The childish voice instantly dispelled the tiredness between Li Che's brows.

He looked down and saw Li Cheng coming over with his younger brother and sister. His small body tried to stand up straight, and he bowed politely and performed a boy's greeting.

"I respectfully welcome father from the court."

The second daughter, Li Yue, was like a lively little deer. She rushed over and hugged Li Che's legs, raised her delicate little face, and her big gem-like eyes were full of admiration and expectation.

The youngest son Li Hao held his finger in his mouth and staggered closer, his little face full of desire.

Seeing the three little ones so cute, Li Che felt as if the softest part of his heart was gently touched, and his heart melted.

The guards Qiu Bai and Ying Bu standing on Li Che's left and right looked at each other and smiled like aunts.

Li Che bent down, picked up his petite little daughter and let her sit on his arms.

He scratched her nose and said with a smile, "You three clever little kids! You usually wait so attentively for your father after he comes home from court."

"Tell me, what new and interesting things have you taken a fancy to today? Or are you craving some dim sum?"

Li Yue in his arms curled her lips and said, "Daddy, have you forgotten again? Today is a holiday, and there's a big fair at the East Gate of the Outer City tonight!"

"A few days ago, you promised us that Mu Xiu would take us to the fair this time. You can't go back on your word!"

As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Li Che's collar with her little hands, as if she was afraid that he would run away.

Li Che was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

It seems that is the case...

A few days ago, I was so annoyed by these three little guys that I agreed without thinking, but today...

Thinking of this, he suddenly showed a bit of apology and embarrassment on his face: "Dear Yue'er, how could Daddy forget?"

"It just so happens that Daddy has an appointment with your Uncle Zhuge and Uncle Huo this afternoon to discuss some important state affairs."

"How about Daddy let Uncle Qiubai go with you? Uncle Qiubai is good at martial arts, he will definitely be able to protect you..."

Qiu Bai behind him suddenly smiled kindly and looked at Li Yue.

"No!" Li Yue shook her little head like a rattle, her big eyes instantly covered with a layer of grievance. "Daddy said that day that you would take us there yourself! Daddy said it himself!"

Li Che lowered his head to look at Li Hao beside his legs. The little guy seemed to feel his sister's grievance. His little mouth flattened and his big eyes were full of loss.

Li Cheng's face tensed instantly, he looked up at Li Che, and said in a childish but serious voice: "Daddy, it's not that the children are fooling around."

"I have just heard the story of Zengzi killing the pig. Zengzi said: 'Infants are not born with knowledge. They learn from their parents and listen to their parents' teachings. If you deceive them, you are teaching them to deceive. If a mother deceives her son, the son will not trust her, and this is not the way to achieve enlightenment.'"

He paused, trying to organize his words before speaking, "Father, as the ruler of the country and a role model for the people, you should be more trustworthy and keep your promises. How could you joke with a child?"

After quoting from classics, he brought the story of Zengzi teaching his son to life vividly.

Li Che was surprised and happy to hear this, and felt relieved immediately.

He couldn't help but laugh out loud, ruffling Qubing's neatly combed hair with his free hand: "Hahaha! Good! What a Zengzi killing pig!"

"Where did Qubing hear this story? How can it be used in such a practical way?"

Although there was a throne to inherit in his family, Li Che came from later generations and naturally knew that children should not be forced to grow up too fast.

Therefore, the three children were not taught to read, but were allowed to play freely to prevent them from losing their nature and becoming mentally distorted in the future.

But I didn't expect that my eldest son was so precocious and could learn everything without a teacher.

Li Cheng puffed out his chest and said proudly, "A few days ago, I passed by Uncle Ying's courtyard where he was on night duty. I heard him reciting this article under the lamp. I thought it made a lot of sense, so I kept it in mind."

He also added, "Uncle Ying reads very seriously!"

Hearing this, Li Che couldn't help but glance at Ying Bu beside him.

The auntie smile on Yingbu's face froze instantly, and his face felt slightly hot.

Li Che was delighted, as Li Cheng's performance was increasingly beyond his expectations.

It is said that the emperor loves his eldest son and the people love their youngest son. The key lies in the eldest son inheritance system.

The eldest son's inheritance is not very wise, but its advantage is stability.

But when the eldest son is a fool and a genius appears among the other sons, the problem becomes more complicated.

Therefore, Li Cheng's outstanding performance undoubtedly gave Li Che a reassurance.

If Li Cheng's ambition lies in this in the future, he only needs to be carefully trained and guided.

It doesn't matter how outstanding he is as an emperor. Just being a ruler who maintains the status quo is enough to ensure a hundred years of stability in Daqing.

"Good! Well said!" Li Che was delighted. "Since Qubing knows the importance of trust, if Dad doesn't agree, wouldn't it be a breach of trust and shame to face the sages?"

He hugged Li Yue and said loudly: "Yingbu!"

"I'm here!" Ying Bu quickly stepped forward.

"Hurry to the Zhuge and Huo residences and tell them that the afternoon appointment has been rescheduled. Tell them that I want to fulfill my promise to my children and take them to the East Gate Market."

"By the way, gentlemen, if you don't have any urgent business, would you be willing to go with me? I'll just consider it a chance to observe the people's sentiments and have some fun with them."

Ying Bu immediately bowed and said, "As you command! I'll go right away!"

Li Che smiled again and said, "You really study hard. Even a three-year-old child can see it. Good. Keep up the good work."

Ying Bu's old face flushed slightly: "Thank you, Your Highness."

He then turned around and strode away, his steps becoming lighter.

. . . . . .

In the afternoon, the warm winter sun dispelled the early morning chill.

Li Che changed into a low-key black casual suit, covered with a thick mink fur coat of the same color, and left the Fengtian Hall with a small entourage.

Li Yue was held firmly in his arms, wrapped up like a little dumpling, with only a pair of excited big eyes showing.

Li Cheng was held by the hand by Zhuge Zhe, while Li Hao was held by Huo Duanxiao. The two boys looked around curiously.

These two regent ministers are now acting as babysitters, but they are willing to do so.

Qiu Bai, Hu Qiang and others, along with a dozen elite guards, changed into casual clothes and scattered around the group.

The group entered the outer city and suddenly saw a bustling crowd of people.

Today, Fengtian City has been transformed under the careful governance of Li Che and others.

The wide and smooth streets are paved with bluestone, with shops lined up on both sides and wine flags fluttering.

The road is fully equipped with supporting facilities such as ditches, seats, trash cans, public wells, etc. There are street lights on both sides of the road. Although they are not electric lights that need to be looked after, they at least provide a little more brightness at night.

The streets were crowded with people, and no one mind the noise, letting the hustle and bustle of the city fill them.

Once you step into the Dongmen Market, it feels like you have plunged into a boiling ocean.

The place was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder.

There are so many stalls of all kinds that it is hard to see the end. The variety is so rich that it is dazzling.

In the medicine shop with gourds hanging on the wall and various medicinal herbs displayed, an old doctor sits in the office, twirling his beard.

At the fortune-telling stall, the Feng Shui master attracted passers-by and started talking nonsense.

There was also a circus troupe that beat drums and gongs, spitted fire, and swallowed knives, which attracted three layers of cheering people to surround it, and coins fell all over the floor.

There are even more food stalls: steaming big meat buns, golden and crispy fried cakes, fragrant mutton soup pots, crystal clear candied haws...

The tempting aroma fills the air, making people's mouths water.

There are also shops selling various daily necessities, exquisite bamboo and wooden toys, cloth and silk, rice, flour, grain and oil... There is a wide variety of goods, everything you can think of.

Although the development of Fengguo's commerce still cannot be compared with that of later generations, it is far beyond any excess of the same period.

Among Feng State’s tax revenues today, commercial tax is far ahead.

The agricultural tax was the lowest at 1/30, which was only one-thirtieth of the annual grain income, and there were no miscellaneous taxes and levies.

The bulk of the money is still provided by merchants from outside the country, who then benefit the people through a series of policies and keep the wealth among them.

Just as President Li Che and the ministers said, how much money can the people make from farming throughout the year? There is really no need to exploit them.

Li Che held Li Yue in his arms and walked among the crowds filled with the atmosphere of fireworks.

Looking at the enthusiastic smiles of the vendors, listening to the conversations of the people, and feeling the vibrant atmosphere in the air, a sense of accomplishment arises naturally.

Fighting on the battlefield and expanding territory is certainly a man's ambition.

But his highest pursuit is to make the people under his rule live and work in peace and contentment, the market prosper, and share a peaceful and prosperous life.

This sense of accomplishment made him more excited than conquering any territory.

"Daddy, Daddy! Look! Candied haws!" Li Yue in his arms pointed excitedly into the distance, his little face lighting up.

“Okay, okay, buy it!”

Li Che responded lovingly, holding his daughter and walking towards the stall filled with crystal candied haws.

Zhuge Zhe held Li Cheng's hand, stroked his beard, and smiled. He whispered to Huo Duanxiao beside him, "Brother Zhengze, look at how prosperous this market is. When you first came to Fengguo, did you ever imagine this day would come?"

Huo Duanxiao, watching Li Hao curiously, couldn't help but sigh, "Your Highness has worked diligently to establish a good government, opening new schools, promoting crafts, opening trade routes, and ensuring the well-being of the people. This is the reason why we have such a great country today."

"Even the prosperous times recorded in history books were no better than this. Back then, I couldn't even imagine it."

"Yes," Zhuge Zhe said with a far-sighted look, "With the will of the people, a prosperous era is to be expected!"

At this moment, a man in a short robe was seen hurriedly squeezing through the crowd.

Qiu Bai frowned and immediately stepped forward to stop him.

The man took out an object from his arms and said something.

Qiu Bai took it and then strode towards Li Che.

Seeing this, Huo Duanxiao couldn't help but say, "Brother Ziyuan, it seems that you have come here in the midst of your busy schedule, and trouble has come again."

Zhuge Zhe was about to ask in detail when he saw Li Che holding Li Yue and walking towards him with a serious face:

"Northern Military District, urgency! Quickly summon all ministers to discuss state affairs!"